170 TMB VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



ings seem utterly strange and weird. The subterranean squealing 

 and croaking of birds are unabated. We walk abroad in the 

 crisp clear air preceding the dawn. Birds scuttle to right and to 

 left from underneath the tussocks as we pass. One or two eggs 

 are picked up on the surface, evidently deposited in a hurry. 

 The outgoing of the birds at dawn is as wonderful as their 

 incoming in the dusk. At about half-past 3 o'clock, or just 

 as day is breaking, birds begin to depart seawards. We take up 

 positions on the edge of the cliff to witness this interesting leave- 

 taking. Birds in ones or twos vvaddle up, or sneak silently 

 through the grass like rats, then spreading their wings to catch 

 the breeze, take a short run, launch over the cliff, and disappear 

 into the gloom to seaward. .Sometimes on reaching the edge of 

 the cliff they congregate awhile, and then gradually, one by one, 

 making a neat spring off tip-toe, sail away. This performance 

 finishes about 4 o'clock. 



Now for the Narrows, and incidentally the scene of the recent 

 (1902) headquarters camp of the Australasian Ornithologists' 

 Union. This outing extended over a week, and about 30 

 persons, including a number of ladies, took part in it. 



As the Association (Union) is a national one for the study and 

 protection of native birds, it has already received Government 

 recognition. The Hon. the Minister of Public Works, on the 

 recommendation of Mr. C. W. Maclean, kindly granted such 

 members as cared to travel by the Government steamer Albert 

 (which was on a buoying cruise to Western Port) passages gratis, 

 with the heavier baggage of the camp. The rest of the party 

 proceeded overland by train, steamer, and conveyance to the 

 site of the camp. 



The camp (8 tents) was splendidly situated, part sheltered 

 'neath a banksian grove and part in a tea-tree brake, with a well 

 of sweet water in the midst, and a Mutton-bird rookery in the 

 sand dunes at the rear, between the camp and the Back Beach. 

 The sandy rises, riddled with rabbit-like burrows, mostly contain- 

 ing birds, were of course the chief centre of attraction. At dusk 

 every evening a move was generally made for points of vantage 

 to watch the home-coming of the interesting wandering birds. 

 The usual bird pandemonium continued all night. Indeed, so 

 great were the nocturnal noises near one of the tents (occupied 

 by ladies) that at one time it was deemed necessary to remove 

 the tent to a quieter quarter. But it is wonderful what one 

 can really get used to. 



The amusement of egging was carried on during the day, 

 chiefly to supply the larder. Mutton-bird eggs fried are a great 

 delicacy, and were enjoyed by all in camp. The weight of an 

 egg varies from 3 ozs. to 3^ ozs., or four about equal the weight 

 of six domestic fowls' eggs. 



